Protected Cruiser Atlanta, Part 5, The last gun position and scratchbuilding a Gatling gun

        It didn't take long for applying a zillion rivets to turn into a trudge so I decided to turn my had to fabricating the last two gun positions. These mounted 47mm "anti-torpedoe-boat quick firing guns" and were mounted amidships with a protruding casement to allow for a wide field of fire. These guns had more range and hitting power than the Gatling guns albeit at a slower rate of fire. The task was simple enough as the casements were simple half-cylinders. NOt finding enough difficulty in those I decided to have a go at scratchbuilding the gatling guns. This was a much more engaging task.

 

a simple cylinder of card stock rolled to double thickness with a flat cap glued to one end

 

once the glue was fully dry I split the cylinder vertically 

and began cutting a curve into the edge of the side to fit the curve of the superstructure

 

then a bit of careful fitting and trimming to get them to seat flush against the hull side

 

 

then I got started on the Gatling gun; seven short brass tubes,

one for the central spindle and then six for the gun barrels

 

 

other than the tedium of cutting the brass tube it was fairly simple,

carefully applied superglue holds it all together

 

the diminutive size makes handling a bit difficult

some card stock for the frame and a straight-pin for the central axle

       I may have to reconsider the gun scheme. I am not sure if I'm up to building three more Gatlings, maybe the corner turrets can get 47mm guns and the waist positions can have the Gatlings (this would mean I only have to build one more) we'll see how I feel when I get back from Up North.